Conservatism

• Conservatism - rose in the 70s + 80s
• Pragmatism:

  • associated with Conservative thinkers such as Edmund Burke + Michael Oakeshott, pragmatism refers to an adaptable, practical response to political decision-making - decisions are made on the basis of what works in that particular situation
  • this will be based on past experiences - opposite to principle or ideology -> decisions would be based on particular beliefs
  • Conservatives are critical of the idea that humans can understand how the world works- favour a more practical response to situations
• One-Nation Conservatism -> where the upper classes are expected to play a 'parental role' in aiding + supporting the working classes
• Tradition + One Nation:

  • both are strongly linked with pragmatism
  • Burke suggested that pragmatism is the appropriate response to the natural change in society - cautious pragmatism will help manage changes without revolution or chaos
  • view that it's necessary to 'change in order to conserve'
  • One-Nation Conservatives responded to the effects of early industrialisation by supporting government measure to help the less well-off -> 1950s/60s advocated for state intervention in economy yo generate funding for welfare programmes
• Rejection of pragmatism:

  • can be argued that New Right rejected the idea of pragmatism in favour of the ability of the free market to deliver all goods + services
• Tradition:

  • Conservatives believe that traditional values + institutions are god given + beyond question -> Burke suggested 'law of our Creator'
  • Burke described society as a partnership between 'those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are yet to be born -> means accumulated wisdom of the past should be respected + preserved
  • Conservatives also believe that tradition gives a sense of belonging + identity
• Human Imperfection:

  • Conservatives view human nature as negative + flawed
  • O'Sullivan 1976 -> this can be seen as the 'philosophy of human imperfection'
  • Humans need organisation + reshaping via a 'correct' environment
• 3 main reasons why humans are viewed as imperfect:

  1. Psychologically -> Conservatives see humans as creatures of habit who like safety, security + familiarity - they need order to create security
  2. Morally -> Conservatives believe that criminal behaviour is caused by the imperfect individual - this can be prevented if they are regulated + controlled
  3. Intellectually -> Conservatives do not see humankind as intelligent , they think that the world is too complicated for people to grasp - Oakeshott believed the world was 'boundless and bottomless' - beyond human understanding
• Change to conserve - adapting to changing social circumstances rather than rejecting
• Noblesse oblige - the idea that wealth, power and prestige come with responsibilities
• Empiricism - ideology that claims that knowledge comes primarily from experience